October's Contractor of the Month

Murlin Woolum is an owner operator who knows how to work the system, and he takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way. He has been leased to Mercer for 13 years, and 7 of those years he’s been one of the company’s Top Ten producers. In addition to his dedicated, hard working demeanor, Woolum is enthusiastic when it comes to helping fellow Mercer contractors – he’s even willing to share the secrets of his success with new recruits. 

Last month, Woolum ran into a new Mercer contractor, Chris Hill, at a shipper in Tennessee. Hill was picking up his first load and was getting ready to embark across the country to deliver in Kent, Washington. When Woolum introduced himself, he sensed that Hill was apprehensive about joining Mercer. Hill had just left the two-day contractor orientation and his mind was swimming with new information, financial expectations, and the usual anxiety that comes with leasing to a new company. Woolum became concerned and offered a solution- if Hill followed his taillights, he would show him how to succeed at Mercer. Woolum and Hill headed out in the same direction, and for 2,300 miles Woolum served as Hill’s mentor. “He (Woolum) was the first person I’ve ever met in this industry that actually cared about a stranger who had just joined their company. I’m so glad to have met him,” said Hill. “He’s an amazing person.”

On their journey to Washington, Woolum taught Hill the dos and don’ts of Mercer, how to work the system and how to handle certain safety procedures. Woolum also offered Hill tips on handling logs and bills of lading. Most of these aspects are covered during orientation, but Hill felt that he was fortunate to have a fellow owner operator show him the ropes and hear about Mercer from another contractor’s perspective.

“On the way to Washington,” recounts Hill, “my truck wasn’t as fast as his, but he still kept with me. Then my truck broke down. He helped me fix it and we were back on the road in fifteen minutes!”

Hill and Woolum have gone their separate ways, but they still stay in touch. “After I left him in Washington, I ran into a problem,” explained Hill. “I had a question but I didn’t want to call and bug him. Well, he ended up calling me! He told me not to hesitate to call with questions and that he didn’t mind.” Hill admitted that he now calls Woolum when he has a question.

The experience calmed Hill’s nerves and made him feel welcome as a new addition to the Mercer family. “I am so blessed to have met Murlin. He is an amazing person and I really admire him,”

Monroe Greene, Woolum’s coordinator of eleven years, described Woolum as being a hard working, strategic driver who always wants to be ahead of the game. “He’s a great guy – and he’s the hardest worker that I’ve ever come in contact with. All he wants to do is load,” said Greene. When asked about his recent good deeds, Woolum humbly replied, “I just try to help everybody.”

To nominate the next “Contractor of the Month,” please contact Johanna Inman at 800-433-0904 or jinman@mercer-trans.com.